Lining for hot tops



Aug. 8, 1933.

w. ,M. CHARMAN LINiNG FOR HOT TOPS Filed Oct. 21, 1950 Patented Aug. 8, 1933 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in linings for hot tops, that is to say heat insulating jackets associated with the upper ends of ingot molds for delaying the cooling of the upper extremity of the ingot in order that a supply of molten metal may be available to flow into and fill up the pipes" which tend to form in the upper end of the ingot. The present application is a continuation in part of my copending applilo cation Serial No. 465,389, filed July 2, 1930.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an inexpensive, easily detachable lower lining course, such course being adapted to remain upon the ingot when the hot top is stripped therefrom.

Another object is the provision of a lower lining course in one piece or ring.

Still another object is the provision of simple and effective means for locking the lower lining course in place temporarily when the parts are assembled, this locking means having preferably a snap-in action, and being adapted to fail when the hot top is stripped from the ingot.

Other objects and features ofv novelty will appear as I proceed with the dscription of those embodiments of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through a hot top embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental bottom plan view of the casing illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of afragment of the lower lining member of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a somewhat difierent form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the casing shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a further modification of the invention.

Fig. '7 is a fragmental top plan view of the lowerlining ring of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental detail sectional view illustrating a modified securing means, and

Figs. 9 and 10 are iragmental elevational and sectional views of a lining ring which may be employed in connection with the invention.

In the drawing I have shown at 10 in Fig. 1 a metal casing having an inwardly projecting ledge 11 that runs entirely around the casing. Upon this ledge is supported the upper permanent or semi-permanent lining course 12, which may be of any suitable material having good insulating qualities that is adapted to withstand without ap- 55 preciable deterioration the high heat of the molten after the metal directly adjacent to it has been metal. The lining 12 may be formed in one or more pieces, but is preferably built up of a plurality of special molded bricks, the edges of which interengage in such, manner as to lock the various bricks against movement inwardly.

The ledge 11 is preferably rounded off on its lower inner'corner, and in its inner surface at intervals are formed indentations or sockets 13. The number, shape and size of these sockets are subject to considerable variation. A lower course lining ring 14 is employed to cover that surface of the ledge 11 which would otherwise be exposed to the molten metal, and to cover the lower extremity of the lining course 12 as well as the joint between that course and the ledge 11. The lower lining member also extends outwardly somewhat beyond the casing so as to wipe the mold as the hot top is lowered thereinto, thus preventing the metal from flowing up over the edge of the mold. This lining member 14 may be made in more than one piece it desired, but I prefer to make it as a single integral ring moldedto the contour of the hot top surfaces with which it engages. On this ring I form outwardly extending projections 15 which are adapted to fit into the recesses 13. The ring is made of paper-like material possessing heat resisting qualities which prevent burning entirely or else render the material slow burning. In the latter event the material is not badly charred until cooled enough to form a shell around the molten metal. The ring 14 is sufliciently resilient to permit the projections 15 to snap into the recesses 13 when the ring is pressed onto its seat, and the material has sufficient body to hold the ring in place when so seated, that is against any ordinary strains to which it may be subjected in the handling of the hot top and in the lowering of it into the mold preparatory to the pouring operation.

The modification of Figs. 6 and '7 is quite similar to that above described. In this case however the casing 20 isround instead of rectangular, and the ledge 21 does not extend inwardlythe full thickness of the upper lining course 22. An auxiliary or secondary ledge member 21' is secured to the ledge 21 by means of pins 23 or the like, and this secondary ledge member at its inner edge is flush with the upper surface of ledge 21andiorms an extension thereof. Together they underlie completely the loweredges of. the lining elements 22. In these figures also I have illustrated a slightly different attaching means for the lower course lining ring 24, that is to say the ring is formed with a continuous outwardly projecting rib 25 which takes into a continuous groove 26 in 110 the ledge. In other respects the construction is substantially identical with that previously .described.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, 30 is a circular casing having a lower inturned ledge 31 which supports upper lining members 32. The lower lining ring 33 is molded of one piece and comprises a horizontal portion which underlies the casing and extends outwardly therefrom far enough to wipe against the ingot mold. It also has an upstanding portion which covers the inner side of ledge 31 and extends therebeyond a short distance so as to cover the joint between the ledge and the lining members 32. The ledge 31 is provided with a series of downwardly opening bayonet slots 34. Integral projections 35 are formed on the ring 33, these projections being of such size that they may be pushed into the vertical portions of the slots 34 and then slid sidewise into the horizontal portions of the slots when the ring and the casing are turned relatively through a small angle. In this manner the ring is held in position against accidental displacement. When the ingot has been poured however, and the hot top is being stripped therefrom, the ring 33 tends to stick to the ingot and the projections 35 readily break or bend sufiiciently to pull out of the slots 34. Generally they will be much weakened because of the charring which they undergo from the heat of the molten metal.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modification of the holding or fastening means illustrated in Fig. 1. In this figure there is a casing 40 having an intumed ledge 41 supporting an upper lining 42. The ledge 40 is provided with a recess 43 which may be identical with the recess of Fig. 1. The ledge 41 and the joint between the ledge and the upper lining course are covered by a paperlike lower lining member 44, but instead of forming a projection upon this member to snap into the recess 43 I use a leaf spring 45 shaped to fit into the recess 43 and adapted to snap into that recess when the lining member is pushed into place. The spring may be attached to the lining member in any suitable manner, as for instance by turning over one end 46 and driving it into the lining member.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown a lining member 50 made of matted fibrous material of a paper-like nature. In this case however the lining member is reenforced by a wire fabric 51 which is embedded into the material at the time that it is molded. Lining members or rings formed in this way may, of course, be utilized in any of the difi'erent forms of the invention previously described.

The paper-like material which I employ in the several ways illustrated in the drawing, and above described, comprises primarily a fibrous material which is either inherentlyfire-resisting or which is rendered more or less'so by other,

added materials. Asbestos, because of its inherent non-combustible properties, is a desirable fiber for the purposes of the present invention. Wood pulp and other vegetable fibers may be used to a greater or lesser extent, depending upon the particular character of the results desired. Asbestos fiber and wood pulp may be mixed together in various proportions and pressed into sheets or molded into definite shapes, their fibers being thereby matted together. Mineral fillers of various kinds may be added to the mix. For this purpose I have found the following materials to be satisfactory: silica cement, ground or crushed brick, clay, loam, silicas and ores of various kinds. It is desirable also to use a binder of some sort, particularly where fillers constitute a substantial proportion of the mix. At the present time I prefer to employ sodium silicate for this purpose.

When the paper-like material is otherwise ready for use, particularly where the proportion of vegetable matter is relatively high, I apply to the surface a coating of some plastic or liquid material having fire-resisting qualities.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a hot top, a casing, a lining member adapted to be inserted into the casing from one end thereof, and cooperating means upon said casing and lining members comprising a recess in one member and a tongue in the other member, said cooperating means moving resiliently into position to releasably attach said lining member to said casing member when the parts are moved into assembled relation.

2. In a hot top, a casing, a lining member of matted fibrous material compacted so as to be self-sustaining, said lining member being adapted to be inserted into the casing from one end thereof,.said member having an outwardly directed projection and said casing having a socket adapted to receive said projection, said lining member possessing suificient resiliency to cause said projection to snap into said socket when the members are moved axially of the casing toward their assembled position.

3. In a hot top, a metallic casing having at the bottom thereof, an inwardly projecting ledge, an upper lining course supported upon said ledge, and a temporary lining ring of matted'fibrous material covering the lower surface of said casing and extending inwardly and upwardly over said ledge and the joint between the ledge and the upper lining course, said ledge and lining ring having cooperating snap-in connections adapted to support the ring releasably and to yield when the hot top is stripped from the ingot.

' WALTER M. CHARMAN. 

